If someone close to you has sadly passed away, we understand that you’ll want to honour their memory in the most personal way possible. Whether they were a member of your family or a special friend, the funeral proceedings help to bring a sense of closure to everyone who attends.
Deciding between a funeral and a cremation is one of the most important decisions. If you’re struggling to navigate the options for cremation in the UK, it’s worth spending some time choosing the most suitable one first.
Initial considerations
After your loved one dies, there are a few steps that you’ll need to take fairly quickly. If you’ve never experienced this before, it may be worth seeking help from a friend to register a death in your family.
To begin the funeral process, you will need to prepare plans and proceedings for the service. At this stage, you could also consult a solicitor to uncover your loved one’s wishes through their Will, if they left one behind before they died.
Are there different types of cremation services available?
Yes. In the UK, you can choose between several cremation services tailored to the needs and wishes of deceased individuals and their families. Each one offers a different approach to commemorating their life but may be more suitable for their social or financial situation.
A traditional cremation involves a full funeral service, which is usually in a chapel at the crematorium. Friends and family can attend and witness the committal, which is when the coffin is taken into the cremator.
Alternatively, direct cremation is a simple and unattended option where there is no formal service. No mourners attend, but family and friends can still hold a memorial service at another time.
What are the options for the ashes?
Cremated remains are known as ashes. Following the Cremation Regulations, the deceased person’s next of kin can legally keep a small volume of these ashes in a special container known as an urn.
Some families choose to keep them in the urn, while others bury them. If you prefer, you could take a small amount and scatter them around in a place that was meaningful for the person. Just make sure to check for permission if you’re planning to do this on private land, though.
Options for personalisation
People deserve to be remembered as individuals. If you’d like to personalise the service and create a strong memorial for your loved one, you have several options for proceedings. Families can search online for “affordable cremation near me” to find services that fit their budget while still allowing for meaningful and personalised ceremonies
Whether at a traditional funeral service or during a private memorial service, you can personalise the order of service with readings, music, eulogies, and specific decorations for the venue. Families can also make use of Order of Service Printing to clearly structure and present ceremony details so attendees can follow the service in a meaningful way.
How much does a funeral cost?
Unfortunately, cremations can be expensive for the families of people who’ve passed away. According to SunLife, the average cost of a simple attended funeral assisted by a funeral director costs over £4,000.
There are usually other expenses involved too, including the flowers, order of service sheets, and any memorial service or wake held after the cremation. Many families use payment plans, pre-agreed by their loved ones before they died. Others now prioritise cost-effective options including direct cremations.
Planning a funeral is never easy, but honouring your loved one’s memory is an important responsibility. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself and seek support throughout the process.